Undeterred by IPL effect, Hindi GECs to launch new shows in May

MUMBAI: Notwithstanding the negative impact of the Indian Premier League (IPL) on the viewership of Hindi GECs, Star Plus, &TV and Colors are planning to launch new shows in May. The IPL is slated to culminate on 21 May.

&TV’s new action reality series ‘India’s Asli Champion…Hai Dum’ is the first show scheduled for launch. The weekend series will be aired from 6 May onwards at 9 pm.

Produced by Colosceum Media and hosted by Bollywood actor Suniel Shetty, ‘India’s Asli Champion…Hai Dum’ will test the physical and mental endurance of contestants. The show is being touted as the ultimate test of physical and mental endurance, where contestants from different walks of life will compete for the title of India’s ‘Asli Champion’.

Shetty will act as a mentor to the contestants, encouraging and guiding them to push their limits and achieve new goals. The show is being shot in Goa, with the contestants having to complete tasks in rough terrains and a scorching weather. This will mark Shetty’s comeback to the TV screen after a gap of three years; his last appearance was as a host for Sahara One series ‘Biggest Loser Jeetega’.

Apart from the new reality series, &TV will also launch a weekly comedy drama series titled ‘Chupke Chupke’ on 8 May. To be airing at 6.30 pm, the show will replace the channel’s existing series ‘Queens Hai Hum’. Produced by Indian Magic Eye Productions, the show deals with the topic of contract marriage. The story revolves around two couples who meet for the first time and try to convert their new love story into a marriage.

Closely following the culmination of its live singing reality show ‘Rising Star’, Colors is set to air yet another live-format show on 7 May. Titled ‘India Banega Manch’, the show will air every Saturday and Sunday at 9 pm. Based on the Israeli show ‘Win the Crowd’, the Indian version of the show will be hosted by Krushna Abhishek and Mona Singh. The show leaves the fate of the contestants to the hands of the audience, as there will be no judges or mentors to guide or judge the contestants.

The channel is also looking to launch two fiction shows—medical drama ‘Savitri Devi College Aur Hospital’ and comedy show ‘Bhaag Bakool Bhaag’—by the end of May. The channel is yet to reveal the date and time of the show.

With the launch of the half-an-hour romantic series ‘Love Hai Intezaar’ on 15 May, Star Plus will be expanding its ‘dopahar’ band (afternoon slot), which currently runs from 12 noon to 2 pm. Starring Keith Sequeira and Sanjeeda Sheikh, the show will air at 2.30 pm, every Monday to Friday.

Produced by Alchemy Productions, ‘Love Ka Hai Intezaar’ will showcase the love story of a royal prince and a Bollywood star.